The Problems of Recess: How to Fix Them

Problems Office Referrals Aggression Bullying Injuries Property Damage Student Safety Accountability Boredom Bullying Socialization Exclusion Safety Disciplinary Emotional carry-over Staff and Administration Students

A Choice Spend your time with disciplinary problems from lunch and recess, or find solutions to those very problems? Add up how much time you devote to discipline issues revolving around unstructured times……

Observation I am offering a free observation of your lunch room, recess, and lunch time recess areas. Whether you have problems or not, wouldn’t it be interesting to find out what an outside observer would note?

Our Playground Problems Vast areas with too few supervisors Lack of equipment Lack of structure/instruction No peer coaches or buddies No older kids to model behavior or skills (Brief solutions or ideas to follow)

Too few Supervisors You don’t need more adults…… Use older students to add structure to play Consider an indoor space for movie/board games (SPED kids especially) Reinvent your shade structures Consolidate play spaces Train the supervisors

Lack of Equipment Assign equipment to spaces not people Peer coaches assure structure Activities with minimal or no equipment Rotate roster of activities each week Students can choose activities Structuring allows control and prevents chaos

Food for Thought Many of our students are never taught how to play. Many schools did away with structured physical education programs and physical education teachers. We rely on academic teachers to implement this valuable training. Many people may think of physical education as something optional or secondary to other subjects. They may even consider it a “reward”” that must be earned by students. Our students at home rarely go outside to play. Weather, location, or isolation and the advent of video games; have made many of our students dependent on the indoors for entertainment.

No Structure/Instruction Roster of activities that become familiar but not over used Quick instruction on how to play- then coach Interaction, movement, cooperation Social skills without formal instruction Hybrid games will occur naturally Peer coaches keep it fun for everyone and provide a healthier relationship

No Peer Coaches/Buddies Select volunteers from older students Special badge, shirt, or neckerchief Recognized/used at school events Free passes to dances or other incentives Training provided at inception Promotion to higher designation with time/skill Periodic meetings for discussion

No Modeling of Behavior Consider staggering lunch time differently (If you currently have all of 1 st at 10:30, 2 nd at 10:40, 3 rd at 10:50) – One class of 6 th with one class of 3 rd for instance – All of 6 th with 3 rd, 5 th with 2 nd, 4 th with 1 st. Upper students model behavior and play Younger students get to see older play (imitate) Older students help maintain order without trying

Other Considerations Some teachers already provide resources Teacher volunteers Behavior department and how we can help Special Education students are special…. One size doesn’t fit all in Gen Ed either Office referrals/detentions at recess can indicate student needs not being met. Perfect time to plan, prepare, and experiment for next year.